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Yemen unrest

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Military policemen stand guard on a military vehicle outside the Ministry of Trade and Industry, which was damaged during recent clashes between police and tribesmen loyal to the tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar, in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

A soldier inspects damage at the state-run Saba news agency after recent clashes between police and tribesmen loyal to the tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar, in Sanaa, Yemen, on June 8. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

A view of the damaged Yemen Airways and Felix Airways building in Sanaa on June 8, after recent clashes between police and tribesmen loyal to the tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Antigovernment protesters shout slogans during a demonstration calling for an interim presidential council to prevent embattled president Ali Abdullah Saleh from returning to power, in Sanaa on June 8. Ammar Awad/Reuters

Boys look inside a car burnt during recent clashes between police and tribesmen loyal to tribal leader Sadiq al-Ahmar in Sanaa on June 8. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Antigovernment protesters gather during a demonstration calling for an interim presidential council to prevent embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh from returning to power in Sanaa on June 7. Ammar Awad/Reuters

A girl displays a message written on her hands during a rally to celebrate the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment, in Sanaa on June 6. Saleh will return from medical treatment in Saudi Arabia in days, the acting leader said as thousands celebrated what they hope will be a new era without him. The message reads: 'Leave Yemen!' Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Smoke rises during clashes between Yemeni security forces and tribesmen loyal to Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribe, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 31. Heavy fighting resumed May 31 in Yemen's capital between government troops and followers of the country's most powerful tribal leader, ending a brief cease-fire and again raising the prospect that Yemen's political crisis could veer into civil war. AP

Burning tires are left by antigovernment protesters as they block the road during clashes with Yemeni security forces in Taiz, Yemen, on May 31. Yemen Lens/AP

In this photo taken through a window, armored vehicles of Yemeni security forces, take position in a street next to the house of Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar, the head of the powerful Hashid tribe, during clashes with tribesmen loyal to him, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 31. Hani Mohammed/AP

A man flees his home in a neighborhood close to where fighting is taking place between Yemen's security forces and tribesmen loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 31. Ammar Awad/Reuters

Yemeni army soldiers inspect a car at a checkpoint, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 30. Yemeni warplanes carried out airstrikes May 30 on a southern town seized by hundreds of Islamic militants over the weekend, witnesses said, as the political crisis surrounding the embattled president descended into more bloodshed. Hani Mohammed/AP

Black smoke ascends in the vicinity of the Yemeni Interior Ministry building in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Intense battles spread across Yemen's capital between government forces and opposition militiamen from powerful tribes that warn of civil war unless embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh steps down. At least 28 people were killed as the four-day death toll neared 110. AP

Antigovernment protesters hold up a sign that reads: 'Leave' during a rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Ammar Awad/Reuters

Yemeni army soldiers seen in their vehicle on guard at a checkpoint in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 25. Mohammed Al-Sayaghi/AP

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, attends an interview with selected media in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 25. Saleh issued messages of hard-line defiance even as intense battles raged in the heart of the capital for a third day, saying he will not step down or allow the country to become a 'failed state.' Mohammed Hamoud/AP

The head of the powerful Hashid tribe, Sheik Sadeq al-Ahmar (c.) walks with his body guards near his house in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Yemen's government said 28 people were killed in an explosion at a weapons storage site, but the opposition claimed military forces shelled a building used by tribal fighters who have risen up against President Ali Abdullah Saleh and warn of civil war if he refuses to step down. Mohammed Al-Sayaghi/AP

Yemeni army soldiers in charge of protecting antigovernment protesters, check pedestrians at the site of a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 25. Hani Mohammed/AP

A girl sits in a car waiting to be evacuated to a safe refuge amid clashes in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. More than 40 Yemenis were killed in pitched street battles in the capital as fighting aimed at ending President Ali Abdullah Saleh's three-decade-long rule threatened to ignite civil war. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

Antigovernment protesters, shout slogans during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Hani Mohammed/AP

An antigovernment protester (c.) performs a handstand as he dances during a rally to demand the ouster of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Ammar Awad/Reuters

A Yemeni boy waits next to his family's belongings as they evacuate Sanaa due to clashes between tribesmen and security forces in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 26. Saif Abduallah/AP

Female antigovernment protesters, chant prayers during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 23. Hani Mohammed/AP

Supporters of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, hold his posters and wave their national flag during a rally in his support in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 20. Hani Mohammed/AP

Army soldiers stand guard as supporters of Yemen's President Ali Abdullah Saleh attend a rally to show support in Sanaa, Yemen, on May 13. Huge crowds in Sanaa and other Yemeni cities demanded that Saleh leave after months of popular tumult that has brought the Arab world's poorest country close to economic meltdown. Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

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Many southerners never fully bought in to the unification of Yemen, made official in 1990, and they see the current political uncertainty as an opening to push for independence.

ByAdam Baron, CorrespondentJuly 18, 2012

Khaled Abdullah/Reuters

In the former southern Yemen capital of Aden, secessionist leaders who once served jail terms for their political activities openly lead demonstrations, while the pre-unification flag, once forbidden, is a nearly constant presence in the sweltering city’s streets.